By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the fight against human trafficking and the illegal trade in fauna and flora. According to a statement by NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the pledge was made when NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Customs headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Addressing the delegation, NCS Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi described the visit as timely and vital in confronting emerging security threats, stressing that customs work extends beyond smuggling into the broader national security environment. He stated, “We believe in the power of collaboration. We can achieve more with less when we work together.”
Adeniyi disclosed that the Service is stepping up enforcement of international conventions concerning wildlife and endangered species as part of its anti-trafficking agenda. He assured NAPTIP of full partnership in the forthcoming National Dialogue on Human Trafficking and Stowaway Incidents, scheduled for February 2026, pledging technical support, intelligence sharing and integration of anti-trafficking modules into NCS training programmes.
In her remarks, DG Binta Adamu described customs as a key ally in the battle against cross-border trafficking, noting that human trafficking continues to evolve and demands robust inter-agency coordination at the nation’s entry and exit points.
Background: NCS is Nigeria’s principal customs authority responsible for border control and revenue collection, while NAPTIP is mandated to prevent, prosecute and provide protection with respect to human trafficking. Their collaboration reflects a growing recognition of the nexus between border enforcement, wildlife crime and human-trafficking networks.
